Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University
The use of electric fencing for sheep is relatively new in
the United States. Several other countries have used electric
fencing with great success for several decades now. Electric
fencing is more economical than standard barbed wire or hog
wire fencing. Electric fencing also allows for temporary fencing
to subdivide pastures, which can increase the stocking rate
and forage utilization and decrease parasite problems through
rotational grazing.
Why has electric fencing not caught on in the United
States? The main reason is the past failures producers have
experienced due to utilizing poor quality fence chargers and
not understanding the basics of electric fencing. The basic
principles of fence construction, grounding, and current flow
must be understood to ensure correct fence design with
minimal maintenance and maximum current flow.
Fence Chargers and Grounding
The major mistake that is made in electric fencing is the
use of poor quality, “cheaper” fence chargers and the improper
grounding of the fence. The fence charger is the most important
purchase in construction of the electric fence. Electric fence
chargers have become much more sophisticated than the
older type low powered fence energizers. Electric fence for
sheep can be maintained even in remote areas with the new
solar powered chargers.
Voltage must be maintained at all times if an electric fence is
to be effective. The new high voltage energizers produce a
very short, .003 second, high-energy pulse. The high-energy
pulse charges even a long length of heavily weeded fence
with a shock that livestock respect. The short pulse limits the
overall energy, so posts are not burned and the wires are
safe, though painful to touch. The short pulse also removes
the chances of fire when grass contacts the wire.
The most important component of electric fence construc-
tion is the proper grounding or earthing of the syste